A call to action appears to have helped put Warm Springs on the list for a statewide emergency order to help those who’ve suffered losses from wildfires. www.underscore.news?p=10039&prev...

Warm Springs Added to Oregon’s Wildfire Emergency Order - Underscore Native News

Email campaign launched ahead of revised list.

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Sign up for our weekly newsletter today to make sure you don't miss any of our continuing wildfire coverage, including new updates coming out tomorrow. Link in bio or visit www.underscore.news/subscribe/

A community-led rematriation effort returns 3.56 acres of ancestral lands to the Duwamish Tribe, overcoming barriers to federal recognition. www.underscore.news/land/land-ba...

Duwamish Tribe Takes on Stewardship of Rematriated Land at Heron’s Nest - Underscore Native News

The return of 3.56 acres is a first-of-its-kind community-led project in the Seattle area.

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Today’s primaries mark the start of a busy month for #NativeVote2026 🗳️ In Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Washington, Indigenous candidates are competing in key races that could shape representation at every level of government. www.underscore.news/justice/augu...

August Primaries Kicking Off for Native Candidates - Underscore Native News

Races in five states Tuesday, including Washington, have more than a dozen Native candidates running for public office.

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In Indian Country, the fires have consumed nearly 230,000 acres. www.underscore.news/land/wildfir...

Firefighters Work to Contain Wildfires Raging Through Native Land - Underscore Native News

Warm weather and winds in the forecast could challenge the containment efforts.

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With wildfires across Oregon and Washington impacting Native nations in each state, communities have rallied together to support families impacted by the fires through supplies and monetary donations. Below is information on what and where to donate. www.underscore.news/land/wildfir...

Community Rallies for Wildfire Relief: How to Help - Underscore Native News

As wildfires burn through Native nations in Oregon and Washington, communities across both states have banded together to set up sites to donate and support families impacted by the fires.

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Firefighters, pilots and equipment operators are mobilized across much of Indian Country in Washington and Oregon, to rein in wildfires that have endangered many tribal communities. www.underscore.news/land/wildfir...

Wildfires Blaze Through Pacific Northwest Reservations - Underscore Native News

It’s hot and dry across the region, making for tinderbox conditions.

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At the beginning of July, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation swore in a new chairwoman and three new council members. www.underscore.news/justice/trib...

Colville Tribes Elects New Leadership, Council Members - Underscore Native News

On July 9, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation held a swearing-in ceremony for newly elected council members and leadership.

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The Many Nations Powwow at the Oregon State Correctional Institution gives inmates one day out of the year to connect with loved ones and Native tradition. www.underscore.news/culture/poww...

Powwow Connects Communities at Oregon Prison One Day a Year - Underscore Native News

The prison event transcends walls to rekindle tradition, family.

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Elderberry Wisdom Farms in Salem teaches youth urban forestry and traditional ecological knowledge. But its future is uncertain under the Trump Administration. www.underscore.news/land/elderbe...

Elderberry Wisdom Farm Connects Youth with Traditional Ecological Knowledge - Underscore Native News

Founder Rose High Bear’s venture shares lessons of the earth – but future funding is uncertain.

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Environmental changes are affecting the migration patterns of the ancient Pacific lamprey. Read more to learn why. www.underscore.news/land/climate...

Changing Water Temperatures Impact Lamprey Migration Patterns - Underscore Native News

Environmental changes like low snowfall and warming water temperatures are impacting the behaviors of Pacific lamprey, according to the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, and the generations...

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Today is your LAST CHANCE to contribute to our summer fundraiser, which raises critical funds for our Indigenous-centered journalism. We’re 90% of the way to our goal of $3,000 — so close! Donation link: underscore-native-news.fundjournalism.org/community-su...

The 2026 Point-In-Time Count in King County by the King County Regional Homelessness Authority sparked concern for Native-led organizations in Seattle who fear that the number is a significant undercount and could lead to a loss of funding. www.underscore.news/justice/hous...

Undercount of Native Homeless Population in Seattle Highlights Bigger Data Collection Concerns - Underscore Native News

Following the King County Regional Homelessness Authority Point-In-Time Count, that showed 4.2 percent of unsheltered individuals identified as American Indian, Alaska Native or Indigenous, Native-led...

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The Indigenous Media Awards were announced this week, and Underscore is proud to have garnered seven first-place awards, including for General Excellence among small outlets in the print/online division. Underscore also won four second-place awards for 11 total.

We’re thrilled to announce that Brian Bull, a veteran reporter with deep experience covering Native communities in the Pacific Northwest, has joined our team as senior reporter.

Glendon Smith, a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, is the first person to hold the role of tribal liaison for the Oregon State Police. Last month, he was presented with a public service ambassador award for his work by Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek. www.underscore.news/justice/oreg...

Oregon State Police Tribal Liaison Talks Priorities - Underscore Native News

Glendon Smith, a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, received an award from Oregon Governor Tina Kotek for his work as the state’s first tribal liaison for the Oregon State Police.

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Aimed at providing an educational community rooted in tribal leadership and Indigenous knowledge, Wileety Native American College at Sacramento State opened last fall with a starting cohort of 34 students. ✍️: Nika Bartoo-Smith, UNN + ICT www.underscore.news/justice/educ...

Creating Community at Wileety Native American College - Underscore Native News

Wileety Native American College at Sacramento State is the first college of its kind across the state focused on providing an education grounded in tribal leadership.

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Underscore is the only regionwide outlet dedicated solely to Native news — and we take that role seriously. Led by our talented team of Indigenous journalists, we exist to tell the stories that others overlook. 🔗: underscore-native-news.fundjournalism.org/community-su...

Underscore is the only regionwide outlet dedicated solely to Native news — and we take that role seriously. Please consider contributing to our summer fundraising campaign, which ends July 14. You can also support us by sharing our work with a friend and subscribing to our newsletter.

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Underscore Native News is supported by people like you. Support Underscore Native News today.

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The powwow punk genre pioneers, 1876, hosted a benefit concert with an all-Indigenous lineup to support the Boys and Girls Club of the Northern Cheyenne Nation. ✍🏼📸: Kenzie Olivo, UNN

Powwow Punk Band 1876 Holds “Victory Day 2026” All Ages Indigenous Punk Benefit Show - Underscore Native News

On the 150th anniversary of Battle of Little BigHorn, “Victory Day 2026” benefit concert featured bands including Weedrat, Lo Cashninjas and Eggplant Dance Battle, in an event that emphasized strength...

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Every Tuesday through July 21, “First Stories of the Salish Sea,” created by Taproot Travel Co. and the FRS Clipper, are offering a whale watching tour of Elliot Bay that highlights Coast Salish culture, both present and historic. ✍️: @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social, UNN + ICT

Fusing Indigenous Knowledge and Whale Watching on New Seattle Tour - Underscore Native News

‘First Stories of the Salish Sea,’ a collaboration with Taproot Travel Co. and FRS Clipper, took its inaugural voyage on June 16, offering the first Indigenous-led whale watching tour in Elliot Bay of...

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Earlier this month, the University of Washington School of Medicine Student Education Program announced the largest scholarship gift the school has received. ✍️ : @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social UNN + ICT

New UW School of Medicine Scholarship to Increase Healthcare in Rural and Indigenous Communities - Underscore Native News

A recent $25 million gift to the University of Washington School of Medicine Student Education Program will create the Franke Medical Student Scholars Program to provide scholarships, recruitment, and...

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In one of the most competitive Indian Relay Races of the year, the Muckleshoot Gold Cup, where 21 teams competed for an overall $85,000. Take a look at some of the people that made this space one some look forward to year-round. ✍️ : Mackenzie Olivo, UNN www.underscore.news/culture/spor...

2026 Muckleshoot Gold Cup Indian Relay a Perfect Blend of Family, Culture and Competition - Underscore Native News

At the 10th annual relay June 12-14, at the Emerald Downs, teams competed for $85,000 worth of prize money.

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At the end of May, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed a proclamation to accept the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s request to return sole legal jurisdiction on civil matters on tribal lands to the tribe. ✍️: Nika Bartoo-Smith UNN+ICT

Oregon Governor Signs Proclamation to Return Civil Legal Jurisdiction to Umatilla Tribes - Underscore Native News

Following a request to return sole legal jurisdiction to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed a proclamation accepting the request. CTUIR is the fi...

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The Montana Two Spirit Society gears up for its 30th annual Montana Two-Spirit gathering this August, while also preparing for its second annual Two-Spirit powwow that will take place on June 19. ✍️: @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social

Two-Spirit Powwows: Shared Resources To Help Celebrate Indigiqueer Joy - Underscore Native News

Two-Spirit powwows are forming out of community needs and more continue to pop up each year.

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The Yakama Nation, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Commission (CRITFC), and scientists held a naming ceremony for a newly discovered spider that is only found in the Columbia River Gorge. www.underscore.news/land/environ... ✍️: Lyric Aquino UNN + @reportforamerica.bsky.social

Newly Discovered Spider Species Receives Yakama Naming Ceremony - Underscore Native News

The spider, the second in its genus, is only found in the Columbia River Gorge, that separates Washington and Oregon.

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Through a hastily-coordinated effort between government agencies and tribal members, the experience to relive a time-honored Native practice lay sprawled on the sand, coiled in crab pot line but free of red tape. www.underscore.news/culture/a-wh...

A Whale of a Tale? Siletz Harvesters Share Their Perspective on November’s Incident with Audience - Underscore Native News

Months after the tribe regained hunting and gathering rights, a rare opportunity presented itself.

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@jarrette-werk.bsky.social , an amazing reporter and photojournalist for Underscore Native News, departs on his next journey after 4 years with our news organization.

A totem pole now stands outside the Cedar Creek Corrections Center, carved by Albert ‘Al’ Smith, Suquamish, Shoshonne-Bannock and Pima Nation, who helped start the carving program at Cedar Creek. Smith has been incarcerated at the facility since 2024. ✍️: @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social

Building a Carving Community Inside Washington State Corrections - Underscore Native News

A totem pole carving program at Cedar Creek Corrections Center supports healing for incarcerated individuals looking to connect with inter-tribal and intergenerational traditional practices.

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Underscore receives five awards from the Society of Professional Journalists' 2025 Northwest Excellence in Journalism Awards.